STRESS ANALYSIS OF LAMINATED

COMPOSITE PLATES USING THE FINITE

ELEMENT METHOD.
By
Arafa El-Helloty1 and Osama Salem2
1- Assistant Professor of structures, Department of civil Engineering, Al-Azhar University.
1- Assistant Professor of structures, Department of civil Engineering, Al-Azhar University.

‫ملخص البحث‬
‫في ھذا البحث تم دراسة ت أثير نس بة الط ول ال ي الع رض و ع دد الطبق ات واتج اه الزواي ة عل ي س لوك االجھ ادات‬
‫ وق د‬LUSAS ‫واالزاحات علي االلواح المؤلفة من عدة طبقات رقيق ة وذل ك بأس تعمال برن امج العناص ر المح ددة‬
‫وجد ان نسبة الطول الي العرض وعدد الطبقات واتجاه الزواية لھا تأثير مھ م عل ي س لوك االجھ ادات واالزاح ات‬
.‫في االلواح المؤلفة من عدة طبقات رقيقة‬
Abstract.
In this paper, the influence of aspect ratio, number of layers and orientation angle is
examined on laminated composite plates with respect to stresses and displacements.
Comparative study is conducted to investigate the effect of aspect ratio, number of
layers and orientation angle on the behavior of stresses and deflections of simply
supported laminated composite plates under uniformly distributed load using the finite
element system LUSAS 13.5.
Keywords.
Laminated, composite plate, cross-ply, angle-ply, aspect ratio, orientation angle,
number of layers, symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangement, normal stresses,
deflection.
1- Introduction.
Laminated composite plates are extensively used in the construction of aerospace,
civil, marine, automotive and other high performance structures due to their high
specific stiffness and strength, excellent fatigue resistance, long durability and many
other superior properties compared to ordinary plates. The correct and effective use of
such laminates require more complex analysis in order to predict accurately the elastic
response, such as deflection and stress analysis, of these structures under external
loading. In general, these structures require high reliability assurance for predicting
the maximum load that the structure can withstand besides the failure process is very
crucial [2-13].

1377
The term laminated refers to a composite structural material that is formed by
combining two or more materials that are bonded together by strong adhesives. The
laminated composite plates are created by constructing plates of two or more thin
bonded layers of materials as shown in Fig.(1-a), and it can be either cross-ply
laminates or angle-ply laminates.
In the case of cross-ply laminates, the laminates are oriented alternatively at 00 and
900. The laminates can be either symmetric cross-ply (00 /900/900/00) or anti-
symmetric cross-ply (00/900/00/900) as shown in Fig.(1-b). In the case of angle-ply
laminates, the orientation angle θ alternates from lamina to lamina either symmetric
angle-ply (+θ0/ -θ0/ -θ0/ +θ0) or anti-symmetric angle-ply (+θ0/ -θ0/ +θ0/ -θ0) as shown
in Fig.(1-c).
Laminated composite plates can be analyzed using analytical and numerical methods
and the laminated plate theories are essential to provide accurate analysis of laminated
composite plates,[13]. There are the classical lamination theory (CLT), the first-order
shear deformation theory (FSDT) and the higher-order shear deformation theory
(HSDT).
The finite element method is especially versatile and efficient for the analysis of
complex structural behavior of the laminated composite plates. Using finite element
method, extensive researches have been devoted to the analysis of vibrations and
dynamics, buckling and post buckling behavior, failure and damage analysis of
laminated composite plates [2-13].
Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study the effect of aspect ratio, number of layers
and orientation angle on the behavior of laminated composite plates with respect to
stresses and deformations using the finite element system LUSAS. A simply
supported laminated composite plate loaded with uniformly distributed load is
considered. Both cross-ply and angle-ply laminates with symmetric and anti-
symmetric arrangements are considered and the analysis for displacements and
stresses is carried out.
2- Numerical example.
To study the effect of aspect ratio, number of layers and orientation angle on the
behavior of laminated composite plates, the analysis of laminated composite plate
simply supported on all four sides with dimensions (a x b) and thickness (h) is
considered under uniformly distributed load q = 10 N\m2 as shown in Fig. (2). The

1378
dimension (a) has constant value 1.0 m, the dimension (b) is changing according to
aspect ratio a/b = 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively and the overall thickness of plate (h) = 1
mm.
In this study, Laminates are composite plates consisting of four, six, eight and ten
orthotropic plies of the same material and equal thickness with the overall thickness
kept constant. Both cross-ply and angle-ply laminates with symmetric and anti-
symmetric arrangements are considered. For angle-ply laminates, the orientation
angle θ0 is 300, 450 and 600 respectively as shown in Table (1).
The materials properties are given as E1 = 215 e9 N\m2, E2 = 23.6 e9 N\m2, E3 = 23.6
e9 N\m2, G12 = 5.4 e9 N\m2, G13= 5 e9 N\m2, G23 = 5 e9 N\m2, ν12= 0.3, ν13= 0.2 and
ν23= 0.2 for Young’s modulus, shear modulus and Poisson’s ratio respectively where
1, 2, and 3 are principle material directions as shown in Fig. (2).
Table (1) Orientation of symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements for cross-
ply and angle-ply laminates.
Laminate Number Type of
Orientation.
type. of layers. arrangement.
Symmetric 0/90/90/0
4 layers
Anti-symmetric 0/90/0/90
Symmetric 0/90/0/0/90/0
6 layers
Anti-symmetric 0/90/0/90/0/90
Cross-ply
Symmetric 0/90/0/90/90/0/90/0
8 layers
Anti-symmetric 0/90/0/90/0/90/0/90
Symmetric 0/90/0/90/0/0/90/0/90/0
10 layers
Anti-symmetric 0/90/0/90/0/90/0/90/0/90
Symmetric +θ/ -θ/ -θ/ +θ
4 layers
Anti-symmetric +θ/ -θ/ +θ/-θ
Symmetric +θ/-θ/ +θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ
6 layers
Anti-symmetric +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ
Angle-ply
Symmetric +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ
8 layers
Anti-symmetric +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/-θ
Symmetric +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ
10 layers
Anti-symmetric +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ/ +θ/ -θ

1379
2-1 Method of analysis.
The analysis has been done by 4-node 3D thick Shell elements QTS4 in finite element
system LUSAS composite 13.5. The QTS4 as shown in Fig.(3) is A family of shell
elements for the analysis of arbitrarily thick and thin curved shell geometries,
including multiple branched junctions. The quadratic elements can accommodate
generally curved geometry while all elements account for varying thickness.
Anisotropic and composite material properties can be defined.
The element formulation takes account of membrane, shear and flexural deformations.
The quadrilateral elements use an assumed strain field to define transverse shear
which ensures that the element does not lock when it is thin. These elements may be
utilized for analyzing flat and curved 3D shell structures where it is necessary to
account for transverse shear. This typically involves thick shell structures where
transverse shear deformation can have a considerable influence on the response.
2-2 Numerical verification.
To verify the analysis and results obtained in this study by the finite element system
LUSAS, a simply supported square laminated composite plate which is consisting of
nine epoxy resin material layers is considered as reported in references 4, and 7. The
length of plate is 10 cm and the thickness of the nine layers is 0.1 cm. The orientation
of layers is 0/90/0/90/0/90/0/90/0 and each layer has different thickness as
0.01/0.0125/0.01/0.0125/0.01/0.0125/0.01/0.0125/0.01 mm respectively. The plate is
orthotropic with respect to both the material laminates and the resulting composite
material and the material properties are E1 = 40 e6 N\cm2, E2 = 1 e6 N\cm2 , G12 = 0.6
e6 N\cm2 , υ12 = 0.25 for Young’s modulus, shear modulus and Poisson’s ratio
respectively. The plate is loaded with uniform distributed load q = 100 N\mm2 and the
central deflection of the plate is computed. As shown in Table 2, the result obtained
by finite element system LUSAS is in good agreement with those reported in
references 4, and 7.

Table (2) Verification of analysis and results.

Reference. Central deflection. (mm)
4 -4.480
7 -4.486
LUSAS -4.553

1380
2-3 Results and discussion.
The analysis has been carried out and the central deflection and the maximum normal
stress values in direction X are obtained.
To study the effect of aspect ratio a/b, number of layers and orientation angle on the
stresses in laminated composite plates, the results obtained are analyzed. For
simplicity, the results are presented by charts as follows:
2-3-1 Effect of aspect ratio a/b
Fig. (4) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (5) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (6) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (7) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the maximum normal stresses in
direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (8) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (9) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply
laminates.
Fig. (10) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (11) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the maximum normal stresses in
direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (12) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (13) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply
laminates.
Fig. (14) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (15) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the maximum normal stresses in
direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply laminates.

1381
Fig. (16) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (17) presents the effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply
laminates.
Fig. (18) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (19) presents a comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the maximum normal stresses in
direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply laminates.
From the previous figures, it is noticed that:
2-3-1-1 Cross-ply laminates.
For cross-ply laminates, the deflection and the normal stresses decrease as the aspect
ratio a/b increases for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements with increasing the
number of layers. The deflection and the normal stresses have the biggest values when
the aspect ratio is one for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements with the
increase of the number of layers.
2-3-1-2 Angle-ply laminates.
For 300, 450 and 600 angle-ply laminates, the deflection and the normal stresses
decrease as the aspect ratio a/b increases for symmetric and anti-symmetric
arrangements with increasing the number of layers. The deflection and the normal
stresses have the biggest values when aspect ratio is one for symmetric and anti-
symmetric arrangements with the increase of the number of layers.
2-3-2 Effect of number of layers.
Fig. (20) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (21) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (22) presents a comparison of number of layers on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (23) presents a comparison of number of layers on the maximum normal stresses
in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.
Fig. (24) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply laminates.

1382
Fig. (25) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply
laminates.
Fig. (26) presents a comparison of number of layers on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (27) presents a comparison of number of layers on the maximum normal stresses
in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 300 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (28) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (29) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply
laminates.
Fig. (30) presents a comparison of number of layers on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (31) presents a comparison of number of layers on the maximum normal stresses
in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 450 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (32) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (33) presents the effect of number of layers on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply
laminates.
Fig. (34) presents a comparison of number of layers on the central deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (35) presents a comparison of number of layers on the maximum normal stresses
in direction X for symmetric and anti-symmetric 600 angle-ply laminates.
From the previous figures, it is noticed that:
2-3-2-1 Cross-ply laminates.
For cross-ply laminates, as the number of layers increases the deflection decreases for
symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangement with a/b = 1, and 2. As the number of
layers increases for a/b = 3, and 4, there is no much variation in the deflection for
symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements. The deflection has the biggest values
when the number of layers is four, for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements
with the increase of the aspect ratio.

1383
The normal stresses increase as the number of layers increases with a/b =1 and 2, for
symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements. As the number of layers increases for
a/b = 3, and 4, there is no much variation in the normal stresses for symmetric and
anti-symmetric arrangements. The normal stresses have the biggest values when the
number of layers is ten for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements with the
increase of the aspect ratio.
2-3-2-2 Angle-ply laminates.
For 300, 450 and 600 angle-ply laminates, the deflection decreases as the number of
layers increases for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements with a/b = 1, and 2.
As the number of layers increases for a/b = 3, and 4, there is no much variation in the
deflection for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements. The deflection has the
biggest values when the number of layers is 4, for symmetric and anti-symmetric
arrangements with the increase of the aspect ratio.
The normal stresses increase as the number of layers increases with increasing the
aspect ratio for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements. The normal stresses
have the biggest values when the number of layers is ten for symmetric and anti-
symmetric arrangements with the increase of the aspect ratio.
2-3-3 Effect of symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements.
From Fig.(4) to Fig.(35), it is noticed that:
2-3-3-1 Cross-ply laminates.
For a/b = 1, the deflection for anti-symmetric arrangement is higher than that for the
symmetric arrangement with increasing the number of layers, and the deflection for
anti-symmetric arrangement is lower than that for the symmetric arrangement for a/b
= 2, and 3 with the increase of the number of layers. For a/b = 4, the deflection is
almost the same for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements with the increase of
the number of layers.
The normal stresses for symmetric arrangement are higher than those for anti-
symmetric arrangement for a/b = 1, 2, and 3 with increasing the number of layers and
the normal stresses are almost the same for symmetric and anti-symmetric
arrangements for a/b = 4 with the increase of the number of layers.

1384
2-3-3- 2 Angle-ply laminates.
For 300, 450 and 600 angle-ply laminates, the deflection is found the same for
symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements with the increase of the aspect ratio and
the number of layers.
For 300, 450 and 600 angle-ply laminates, there is no much variation in the normal
stresses for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements for number of layers = 4, and
6 with the increase of the aspect ratio. For number of layers = 8, and 10, the normal
stresses are almost the same for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements with the
increase of the aspect ratio.
2-3-4 Effect of orientation angle.
The deflection and normal stresses are almost the same for symmetric and anti-
symmetric arrangements for angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (36) presents the effect of orientation angle on the performance of the central
deflection for symmetric 300,450 and 600 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (37) presents the effect of orientation angle on the performance of the maximum
normal stresses in direction X for symmetric 300,450 and 600 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (38) presents a comparison of the orientation angle on the central deflection for
symmetric 300,450 and 600 angle-ply laminates.
Fig. (39) presents a comparison of the orientation angle on the maximum normal
stresses in direction X for symmetric 300,450 and 600 angle-ply laminates.
From the previous figures, it is noticed that:
As the orientation angle increases, the deflection decreases for aspect ratios bigger
than one for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply laminates and the deflection has
the least values when the orientation angle is 600. For a/b = 1, the deflection has the
smallest values when orientation angle is 450.
As the orientation angle increases, the normal stresses decrease with the increase of
the aspect ratio and the number of layers for symmetric and anti-symmetric
arrangements. The normal stresses have the biggest values when the orientation angle
is 300.
3-Conculsions:
In this paper, the analysis of laminated composite plates under uniform distributed
load has been done to study the effect of aspect ratio, number of layers and orientation

1385
angle on the deflection and stresses in laminated composite plates. From the results
reported herein, the following conclusions are obtained:
1- As the aspect ratio increases the deflection and the normal stresses decrease for
cross-ply and angle-ply laminates with symmetric and anti-symmetric
arrangements and with increase the number of layers.
2- As the number of layers increases for cross-ply and angle-ply laminates with
symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements, the deflection decreases when the
aspect ratio is ≤ 2.
3- For aspect ratio > 2, the increase of the number of layers do not have much
influence on the deflection for cross-ply and angle-ply laminates with symmetric
and anti-symmetric arrangements.
4- As the number of layers increases for cross-ply laminates with symmetric and anti-
symmetric arrangements the normal stresses increase when the aspect ratio is ≤ 2.
5- For aspect ratio > 2, the increase of the number of layers does not have much
influence on the normal stresses for cross-ply laminates with symmetric and anti-
symmetric arrangements.
6- For angle-ply laminates with symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements, as the
number of layers increases, the normal stresses increase with the increase of the
aspect ratio.
7- For aspect ratio > 3, the symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements have no much
effect on the deflection and normal stresses with the increase of the number of
layers for cross-ply laminates.
8- For angle-ply laminates, the symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements have no
effect on the deflection and normal stresses with the increase of the aspect ratio
and the number of layers.
9- For angle-ply laminates, the deflection is minimum when the orientation angle is
450 for aspect ratio a/b =1. For aspect ratio > 1, the deflection is minimum when
the orientation angle is 600 for symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements.
10- For angle-ply laminates, as the orientation angle increases the normal stresses
decrease with the increase of the aspect ratio and the number of layers for
symmetric and anti-symmetric arrangements. The normal stresses have the biggest
values when the orientation angle is 300.

1386
4- References.
1- LUSAS, Manual Version 13.5, 2003.
2- Lotfi Toubal, Moussa Karama and Bernard Lorrain "Stress concentration in a
circular hole in composite plate" Composite Structures 68 (2005) 31–36.
3- M. Naghipour, H.M. Daniali and S.H.A. Hashemi Kachapi "Numerical simulation
of composite plates to be used for optimization of mobile bridge deck" World
Applied Sciences Journal 4 (5): 681-690, 2008.
4- Noor,A.K., and Mathers,M.D. "Shear flexible models of laminated composite
plates" NASATN D-8044 (1975).
5- N.K. Jain and N.D. Mittal "Finite element analysis for stress concentration and
deflection in isotropic, orthotropic and laminated composite plates with central
circular hole under transverse static loading" Materials Science and Engineering A
498 (2008) 115–124.
6- O. Aluko and H.A. Whitworth "Analysis of stress distribution around pin loaded
holes in orthotropic plates" Composite Structures 86 (2008) 308–313.
7- Razzaque,A. and Mathers,M.D. "Layered solid elements for non-linear analysis of
composite structure" Quality assurance in Finite Element Technology (1988).
8- RupeshDaripa and M.K.Singha "Stability analysis of composite plates under
localized in-planeload" Thin-Walled Structures 47 (2009) 601–606.
9- S Latheswary, and K V Valsarajan, "Behavior of laminated composite plates using
higher-order shear deformation theory" IE(I) Journal-AS Vol 85, May 2004.
10- Tamer ozben "Analysis of critical buckling load of laminated composites plate
with different boundary conditions using FEM and analytical methods"
Computational Materials Science 45 (2009) 1006–1015.
11- V.G. Ukadgaonker and Vyasraj Kakhandki "Stress analysis for an orthotropic
plate with an irregular shaped hole for different in-plane loading conditions"
Composite Structures 70 (2005) 255–274.
12- W. Hufenbach, R. Gottwald, B. Grüber, M. Lepper, and B. Zhou "Stress
concentration analysis of thick-walled laminate composites with a loaded
circular cut-out by using a first-order shear deformation theory" Composites
Science and Technology 68 (2008) 2238–2244.
13- Y.X. Zhang and C.H. Yang "Recent developments in finite element analysis for
laminated composite plates" Composite Structures 88 (2009) 147–157.

1387
Fig. (1-a) laminated composite plate.

Fig. (1-b) Cross-ply laminate.

Fig. (1-c) Angle-ply laminate.

1388
 Fig. (2) Geometry of a laminated plate.

Fig. (3) 4-node 3D thick Shell elements (QTS4) in finite element system
LUSAS.

1389
 9

Deflection x 10-3 m.
7

Symmetric a/b = 1
6 Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
5 Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b =1
4 Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
3 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(4) Effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the deflection

for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

7
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

Symmetric a/b = 1
5 Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
Symmetric a/b = 4
4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
3 Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4
2

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(5) Effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the normal stresses in direction
X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

8
Deflection x 10-3 m.

7
Symmetric a/b = 1
6 Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
5 Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
4 Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4
3

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(6) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

1390
 8

Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

6

Symmetric a/b =1
5 Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
4 Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
3 Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4
2

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(7) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the normal stresses in direction

X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

6
Deflection x 10-3 m.

Symmetric a/b = 1
4 Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
Symmetric a/b = 4
3 Anti-symmetric a/b =1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(8) Effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the deflection

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

4.5

4
Symmetric a/b = 1
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric a/b = 2

Symmetric a/b = 3
3 Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
2.5 Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4
2

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(9) Effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the normal stresses in direction X
for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

1391
 6

Deflection x 10-3 m.
5

4 Symmetric a/b =1
Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
3 Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(10) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

4.5

4
Symmetric a/b = 1
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric a/b = 2

Symmetric a/b = 3
3 Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
2.5
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4
2

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(11) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the normal stresses in direction X

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

4
Symmetric a/b = 1
Deflection x 10-3 m.

Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
3
Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b =1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(12) Effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the deflection

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

1392
 4.5

Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric a/b = 1
Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
3
Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
2.5
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(13) Effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the normal stresses in direction X
for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

6
Deflection x 10-3 m.

4
Symmetric a/b =1
Symmetric a/b = 2
3 Symmetric a/b = 3
Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(14) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

4.5

Symmetric a/b = 1
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5
Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
3
Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
2.5 Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(15) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the normal stresses in direction X

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

1393
 6

Symmetric a/b = 1
4 Symmetric a/b = 2

Deflection x 10-3 m.
Symmetric a/b = 3
Symmetric a/b = 4
3 Anti-symmetric a/b =1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(16) Effect of aspect ratio a/b on the performance of the deflection

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 600 laminates.

4.5

Symmetric a/b = 1
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5
Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
3 Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
2.5 Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(17) Effect of aspect ratio on the performance of the normal stresses in direction X
for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 600 laminates.

6
Deflection x 10-3 m.

Symmetric a/b =1
4
Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
Symmetric a/b = 4
3 Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(18) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric angle-ply 600 laminates.

1394
 4.5

Symmetric a/b = 1

Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5
Symmetric a/b = 2
Symmetric a/b = 3
3
Symmetric a/b = 4
Anti-symmetric a/b = 1
2.5 Anti-symmetric a/b = 2
Anti-symmetric a/b = 3
2 Anti-symmetric a/b = 4

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(19) Comparison of aspect ratio a/b on the normal stresses in direction X for
symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 600 laminates.

8
Deflection x 10-3 m.

Symmetric 4 layers
6 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
5 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
4 Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
3

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a\b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(20) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the deflection for

symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

7
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

6 Symmetric 4 layers
Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
5 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
4 Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
3

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(21) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the normal stresses in direction
X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

1395
 9

Deflection x 10-3 m.
7

Symmetric 4 layers
6 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
5 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
4 Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
3

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(22) Comparison of number of layers on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

7
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

6 Symmetric 4 layers
Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
5 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
4 Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
3

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(23) Comparison of number of layers on the normal stresses in direction

X for symmetric and anti-symmetric cross-ply laminates.

6
Deflection x 10-3 m.

Symmetric 4 layers
4 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
Symmetric 10 layers
3 Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(24) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the deflection

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

1396
 4.5

4
Symmetric 4 layers

Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
3 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
2.5
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

1.5

0.5

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(25) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the normal stresses in direction X
for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

6
Deflection x 10-3 m.

Symmetric 4 layers
4 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
Symmetric 10 layers
3 Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(26) Comparison of number of layers on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

4.5
Symmetric 4 layers
4 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
Symmetric 10 layers
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
3
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2.5

1.5

0.5

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a\b = 4

Fig.(27) Comparison of number of layers on the normal stresses in direction X with a/b ratio
for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

1397
 6

Deflection x 10-3 m.
5

Symmetric 4 layers
4 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
Symmetric 10 layers
3 Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(28) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the deflection

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

4.5

4
Symmetric 4 layers
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric 6 layers

Symmetric 8 layers
3 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
2.5
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

1.5

0.5

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(29) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the normal stresses in direction X
for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

6
Deflection x 10 m.

5
-3

Symmetric 4 layers
4 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
Symmetric 10 layers
3 Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(30) Comparison of number of layers on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

1398
 4.5

4
Symmetric 4 layers

Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
3 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
2.5
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

1.5

0.5

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(31) Comparison of number of layers on the normal stresses in direction X

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 450 laminates.

6
Deflection x 10-3 m.

Symmetric 4 layers
4 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
Symmetric 10 layers
3 Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(32) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the deflection

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 600 laminates.

4.5

4
Symmetric 4 layers
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric 6 layers

Symmetric 8 layers
3 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
2.5
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

1.5

0.5

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(33) Effect of number of layers on the performance of the normal stresses in direction X
for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 600 laminates.

1399
 6

Deflection x 10-3 m.
5

Symmetric 4 layers
4 Symmetric 6 layers
Symmetric 8 layers
Symmetric 10 layers
3 Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(34) Comparison of number of layers on the deflection for symmetric

and anti-symmetric angle-ply 600 laminates.

4.5

4
Symmetric 4 layers
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric 6 layers

Symmetric 8 layers
3 Symmetric 10 layers
Anti-symmetric 4 layers
Anti-symmetric 6 layers
2.5
Anti-symmetric 8 layers
Anti-symmetric 10 layers
2

1.5

0.5

0
a/b = 1 a/b = 2 a/b = 3 a/b = 4

Fig.(35) Comparison of number of layers on the normal stresses in direction X

for symmetric and anti-symmetric angle-ply 300 laminates.

4
Deflection x 10-3m

Symmetric 30, a/b = 1

Symmetric 45, a/b = 1
Symmetric 60, a/b = 1
3 Symmetric 30, a/b = 2
Symmetric 45, a/b = 2
Symmetric 60, a/b = 2
Symmetric 30, a/b = 3
Symmetric 45, a/b = 3
2 Symmetric 60, a/b = 3
Symmetric 30, a/b = 4
Symmetric 45, a/b = 4
Symmetric 60, a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(36) Effect of orientation angle on the performance of the deflection for

symmetric angle-ply 300, 450 and 600 laminates.

1400
 4.5

4
Symmetric 30, a/b = 1

Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric 45, a/b = 1
Symmetric 60, a/b = 1
Symmetric 30, a/b = 2
Symmetric 45, a/b = 2
3 Symmetric 60, a/b = 2
Symmetric 30, a/b = 3
Symmetric 45, a/b = 3
2.5 Symmetric 60, a/b = 3
Symmetric 30, a/b = 4
Symmetric 45, a/b = 4
Symmetric 60, a/b = 4
2

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(37) Effect of orientation angle on the performance of the normal stresses in direction X
for symmetric angle-ply 300, 450 and 600 laminates.

Symmetric 30, a/b = 1

4 Symmetric 45, a/b = 1
Symmetric 60, a/b = 1
Deflection x 10-3m

Symmetric 30, a/b = 2

Symmetric 45, a/b = 2
Symmetric 60, a/b = 2
3 Symmetric 30, a/b = 3
Symmetric 45, a/b = 3
Symmetric 60, a/b = 3
Symmetric 30, a/b = 4
Symmetric 45, a/b = 4
2 Symmetric 60, a/b = 4

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(38) Comparison of orientation angle on the deflection for

symmetric angle-ply 300, 450 and 600 laminates.

4.5

4
Symmetric 30, a/b = 1
Symmetric 45, a/b = 1
Normal stresses in X direction x 106 N\m2

3.5 Symmetric 60, a/b = 1

Symmetric 30, a/b = 2
Symmetric 45, a/b = 2
Symmetric 60, a/b = 2
3 Symmetric 30, a/b = 3
Symmetric 45, a/b = 3
Symmetric 60, a/b = 3
2.5 Symmetric 30, a/b = 4
Symmetric 45, a/b = 4
Symmetric 60, a/b = 4
2

1.5

0.5

0
4 layers 6 layers 8 layers 10 layers

Fig.(39) Comparison of orientation angle on the normal stresses in direction X for

symmetric angle-ply 300, 450 and 600 laminates.

1401